Kim Deister
This is a book that sparked my interest from the very beginning. I am old enough to remember the end days and aftermath of Vietnam. I’m also a US Army vet who served during the DADT years. During my years, I’ve seen more than my fair share of PTSD. And MariaLisa deMora did an excellent job with both in this book. This is the story of Boots and Brain, also known as Clark and Brian. It’s an age-gap romance that is incredibly gripping. Boots is OG, a Vietnam-era vet, while Brain is an post-9/11-era vet. They are connected in ways beyond the MC and simply being vets. Both of them are quietly gay, used to living life on the down-low after years of serving during the Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell years. I remember those years, remember the fear with which my gay friends lived with, having to hide and deny such a big part of themselves. The author captured the intensity of that, of how ingrained that feeling is, even after leaving the military. Both men have demons. Boots has learned to deal with his, most of the time. But the wounds are still fresh for Brain, both emotionally and physically. He’s suffering deeply, spiralling into dark places. But Boots is the one person that soothes his soul and helps him see the light in the world. The author doesn’t shy away from the horror that is all too common among military types, portraying it as it is. Hard as it is, as a former soldier, I appreciate that gritty reality. My recommendation: This is a fabulously real story with ALL the emotions! I highly recommend this book!